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Hypertension: High Blood Pressure

Posted Oct 2009

What is hypertension? What are main causes of hypertension? What is the treatment of hypertension?

Measuring blood pressure is determined by two values: the upper, or systolic pressure (the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contract and full strength push the blood through the arteries) or lower and diastolic (the pressure in blood vessels between the heartbeats, the moment when the heart is completely relaxed).

Blood is pushed through arteries based on pressure difference that exists between the heart and small blood vessels in the peripheral tissues. Pressure values are constantly changing depending on the daily activities, stress, amount of adrenaline, fluids and salts in the circulation.

It is recommended that all adults measure the pressure at least once in two years. In order to eliminate the influence of stress and adrenaline, blood pressure is measured after 20 minutes of rest and not in the first two hours of awakening. It is considered that the ideal pressure of 120/80 mmHg. Values of systolic pressure of 120-139 and diastolic of 80-89 mmHg called pre-hypertension is not subject for medical treatment, but require closer control. The values of 140/90 mmHg are defined as hypertension and require treatment, because long-term hypertension damages the blood vessels, and certainly leads to stroke, heart attack, the split of the aorta, renal failure and other complications of heart.

World Health Organization says that high blood pressure is problem in the whole world. According to the organization, the disease affects 20 percent of world population and is associated with greater risk of heart attack and stroke. However, a new study shows that the occurrence of hypertension can be controlled or even reduced - with some changes in daily habits.

World Health Organization says that high blood pressure is problem in the whole world. According to the organization, the disease affects 20 percent of world population and is associated with greater risk of heart attack and stroke. However, a new study shows that the occurrence of hypertension can be controlled or even reduced - with some changes in daily habits.

Doctors say that blood pressure was 120/80 normal. But if your pressure is consistently 140/90 or higher, you may be diagnosed with hypertension. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Studies done in the past have shown that women are less prone to this disorder than men, but new research reveals that women in older age, exposed to the same risk as men. Doctor John Forman is the medical faculty of Harvard University and Hospital for Women Care. He and his colleagues studied the risk of hypertension in 83 thousand women over 14 years. We tried to determine how the women could reduce the risk of hypertension, if lifestyle changes -says Forman.

This sounds very simple. Exercise 30 minutes a day, maintain normal weight eating healthy meals with enough fruit and vegetables and less red meat, drink less alcohol, do not take non-prescription pills for pain and take a substitute for folic acid to prevent anemia. Dr. Forman said his study showed that women - when you follow these rules - reduce the risk of hypertension by 80 percent. It is certainly worth it.

Individuals and society as a whole have the power to, changing diet, and lifestyle changes and thus acquires the ability to reduce the risk of dangerous diseases. The researchers concluded that changes in habits to help even those who have a history of the disease in the family. Maintaining normal weight, according to their words, perhaps the biggest challenge for most people. The study was published in Journal of the American Medical Association.